Eat right this early summer: 6 foods to avoid dampness, dryness, and internal heat.

Introduction: As summer arrives, people's eating habits begin to change. They start to crave cold foods, such as cold drinks, but excessive indulgence can easily irritate the throat, potentially causing a sore throat. Although it's summer, foods like hot pot remain popular, especially spicy hot pot. The overly spicy flavor can severely irritate the throat, easily leading to a sore throat. Moreover, roadside stalls become more common, most of which are barbecue stands. Barbecue and beer are many people's favorites, but barbecue food is too greasy and contains a lot of smoke and dust. Eating too much can also irritate the throat. Coupled with drinking iced beer, the throat is stimulated even more, increasing the likelihood of a sore throat.

1. Kumquats

Kumquats can be eaten whole, including the peel, and they are sweet and fragrant without any astringent taste from the peel. Eating them whole is very beneficial for a sore throat. In particular, the kumquat peel is nutritious, rich in vitamin C and calcium, and helps reduce throat inflammation. The kumquat fruit contains vitamins A, B1, B2, C, and calcium. Besides eating them raw, kumquats can also be simmered with rock sugar or honey to make a juice. Not only is it sweet and refreshing, but it also has a soothing effect on the throat.

2. Pears

Pears are a cooling fruit and are rich in water, which helps reduce fever, soothe the throat, and relieve pain, alleviating the symptoms. People often boil pears to make a juice that has an effect of relieving coughs and reducing phlegm. Slicing a pear, juicing it, and then freezing it makes it easier to consume. However, for those with a fever who are sensitive to cold or who are prone to diarrhea, it is best to drink warm pear juice.

Cranberry and Tremella Pear Porridge

3. Ginger

Ginger has been a prized item for both culinary and medicinal use since ancient times. The rhizome of old ginger also has medicinal properties, promoting sweating, reducing fever, providing warmth, reducing inflammation, and resolving phlegm. When consuming it, you can try simmering ginger with dried tangerine peel for a better effect. It is particularly suitable for fever and sore throat caused by "heatiness" (internal heat).

4. Licorice

Licorice is neutral in nature and sweet in flavor, and it influences the twelve meridians. It has pharmacological effects such as detoxification, expectoration, pain relief, and antispasmodic. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, licorice tonifies the spleen and Qi, moistens the lungs to relieve coughs, alleviates urgent conditions and detoxifies, and harmonizes the effects of other herbs. Drinking a decoction made from licorice root can improve throat inflammation and pain, and it can also relieve tonsillitis or sudden, severe sore throat.

Nine-times Processed Dried Tangerine Peel with Licorice

5. Platycodon Root

Platycodon root has effects of reducing inflammation, resolving phlegm, and draining pus. Especially in the summer, the root can be dug up, washed with water, and air-dried for use as a medicine. However, the medicinal properties of platycodon root are very strong and can easily cause vomiting. Therefore, it is best to decoct and take it with licorice. Use 3 grams of platycodon root, 2 grams of licorice, and 300 grams of water. Simmer until the liquid is reduced by half, then strain out the dregs. Before drinking, gargle with the liquid, then swallow.

6. Pomegranate

Boiling pomegranate can also treat a sore throat. Prepare one pomegranate, cut it into appropriate pieces, and boil it with 400 grams of water. After it comes to a boil, simmer for another 30 minutes, then you can use the juice for gargling and drinking. Note that the most medicinal part of the pomegranate is the peel, so you can also use a dried pomegranate peel for a better effect. Pomegranate leaves can also be used as medicine. Take a leaf the size of a palm, add 400 grams of water, and simmer over low heat until it is reduced by half. Remove the dregs, and it can be used as a gargle, which is also very effective.

Pomegranate Juice